EyeCare Tips

Eye Disorders

There are many eye disorders which are all caused to several other

reasons. Following guide may provide you a clear picture about those.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD):

The centre vision is affected in the individual and this is the most common cause of vision loss in the aged.  However, AMD makes it difficult to read, drive, or difficult to do the other daily activity that needs central vision. Degeneration process of the macula causes this disorder.

There are two types of AMD.One is dry AMD, and it is most common in eye and it is because of the deterioration of the macula and another is wet AMD, less common, and it is due to the leakage of fluid and blood in the macula related blood vessels and it causes the blindness with in  short period.

The most common earlier symptoms include difficulty in recognizing the familiar faces, appearance of straight lines, wavy appearances, difficulty in reading and driving appearance of blind spots. This disease is diagnosed by various tests like visual acuity test and amsler grid. Laser treatment is given for wet AMD to arrest the bleeding. There is no specific treatment for dry type and however the loss of vision happens very slowly.

Amblyopia:

Though both eyes are structurally sound and when functionally weak or if there is any imbalance in two eyes, the weak eye becomes functionally blind. It is because of the brain which receives the signals ignore the vision signals from the functionally weaker eye. Most often this condition results from both eyes not aligned, one eye is nearsighted, or farsighted. Earlier treatment gives good results in regaining the vision.

The treatment is given by blocking the dominant eye by patches and allowing the affected person to see the objects only through weaker eye and encouraging the brain to receive and regain the visual signals through weaker eye. Eye drops is used in the strong eye and make the vision blur in that eye and allowing the brain to see the objects through weaker eye. Good results are obtained in restoring the vision by this treatment.

Astigmatism:

The clear saucer like tissue in front of the eye is called the cornea and it is responsible for focusing the light waves in to the eyes. It is like a round shaped half of the basket ball normally.  The even curve nature of the cornea allows the light and focus the object clearly.

However, when the curve nature is deviated in its entire surface, it may cause blurriness or ghost images around objects. So also it affects the vision of both closely placed and distant placed objects. This condition is corrected either by glasses or contact lenses. Sometimes this is also corrected by refractive surgery.

Blepharitis:

This is the condition described about the chronic inflammation of the eye lid margin and is a very common condition. There are two of two types of inflammation namely squamous and ulcerative.

The symptom includes soreness, grittiness and discomfort along the lid margins.  Treatment includes local application of antibiotic-steroid ointment and recovery is well obtained soon after proper medication.

Cataract:

Normal human eye lens is transparent. In the aging process the lens becomes opaque and does not allow the light rays to pass through it and focusing is not permitted on the retina, a light sensitive tissue located in the back of the eye. In the later stage of the disease the person affected feels that he or she is seeing the objects through a water fall.

The diagnosis is made after a common eye chart test and seeing the lens by pupil dilation. The surgical treatment is done to remove the natural lens and replacing it with artificial lens.

Chalazion:

chalazion is a chronic inflammatory granuloma of a meibomian gland on the upper or lower eye lids.  Single or multiple chalazion may appear and may remain stationary. Treatment includes an incision and evacuation of its content.

Conjunctivitis:

The blood vessels in the conjunctiva are inflamed and the eyes become pink in color and this condition is caused by bacteria and viruses. Treatment is with antibiotic, anti viral drugs and cortisones.

Diabetic Retinopathy:

The retinal blood vessels swells and leak fluid and also new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and leaking blood due to diabetic condition. Better control of blood sugar level may slow down this process. In untreated diabetes, this condition causes total blindness. In the earlier stages of this condition the person affected does not show any symptom but in the later stages the eyes swell and hemorrhage (in retina) occurs in the eye due to (macular) swelling and leakage of fluid and blood. Treatment includes laser surgery and vitrectomy(removing the existing vitreous and replacing it)

Dry Eye:

The eyes feel dry when there is no adequate quantity of moisture in the eye it may be due to hot environment, smoky conditions, side effects of certain medications and aging.

Floaters and flashes:

When specks, strands move through the vision, it is called floaters and a sudden light flash crosses the vision, it is called flashes. All are due to aging processes that take places in vitreous. But it is a threatening indication of retinal tear and should be handled immediately by a opthamologist.

Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is condition in which the fluid pressure increases than the normal. It may be due to blockage of drainage of fluid and exerts a pressure to optic nerves and leading to loss of vision. The symptoms may include blurred vision, haloes, severe pain, nausea and vomiting.

Refractive errors: 1. hyperopia is known as farsightedness. In this condition the close objects appear out of focus since distant objects are being focused behind the retina.

2. Myopia is known as nearsightedness in which the distant object are being focused in front of the retina and the distant objects appear out of focus. Both conditions need eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve the focus.

Strabismus:

It is a condition in which visual axes are not straight in the primary position of the eyes.

Style:

It is a suppurative inflammation of zeis’s gland and it appears in the eye lid with pain and sometimes with fever. Treatment is given with an antibiotic.

We hope the above guide gave you a real picture and visit often to know more about all health related issues and remedies.